The development of a non-invasive, sensitive and accurate method
to rapidly detect ischemic changes has far-reaching implications.
Increasing the sensitivity of pre-hospital triaging would be
advantageous to our patients, while enhanced specificity would
result in better resource utilization benefitting society as a whole.
Although stroke has been the initial focus for this technology,
developers state the feasibility of refining algorithms via machine
learning and broadening applications to other diseases such as
hemorrhage, TBI or edema.
TECH CORNER
Of interest to the neurointensivist, further refinements of this
technology could possibly facilitate the assessment of regional
hypo-perfusion in setting of severe vasospasm post subarachnoid
hemorrhage or even cerebrovascular flow changes in patients
with non-convulsive status epilepticus. It is possible this heralds
a new era of non-invasive monitorin; however, as with all new
technologies, availability and cost are to be considered. The
device’s sensitivity for small or lacunar strokes remains to be fully
evaluated beyond pilot studies, and it’s true capabilities will be
revealed by field implementation.
At the time of writing, the Cerebrotech Visor is not yet
commercially available.
Recommended further reading:
Gonzalez CA, et al. (2013)
Volumetric Electromagnetic
Phase-Shift Spectroscopy of
Brain Edema and Hematoma.
PLoS ONE 8(5): e63223.
Purrucker JC, et al. ( 2015)
Comparison of stroke
recognition and stroke severity
scores for stroke detection
in a single cohort. J Neurol
Neurosurg Psychiatry86: 1021–1028.
Invited Clinical Pharmacist (ICP) Program
The Pharmacy Committee of the Neurocritical Care Society
(NCS) is excited to receive applications for the Invited Clinical
Pharmacist (ICP) Program starting this November. The purpose
of this program is to promote and increase the practice of
neurocritical care pharmacy by sending qualified neurocritical
care pharmacists to selected institutions who wish to expand or
initiate neurocritical care pharmacy services. The invited clinical
pharmacist is expected to interact with the pharmacy and neuro
ICU teams, provide lectures, attend rounds or perform other
relevant activities that will help support this initiative. The visit
will be a minimum of one business day and is not expected to be
greater than two days. The ICP will be provided financial support
to offset the expense of travel, lodging and food. The total cost
reimbursed for each ICP site visit should not exceed $1,000 and
is subject to adjustments. Funding is meant to offset the expenses
of the ICP and will not be provided to the applicant or their
institution. Up to two proposals may be funded during each
funding cycle, based on available funds. Successful participants
are expected to share their experiences through a publication in
Currents and/or a brief presentation at the annual meeting.
Who Can Apply?
Any current NCS member may apply for the program on behalf
of their medical center or university. The inviting institution is
responsible for securing any permission for the ICP to participate
in any activity involving patient care.
How to Apply
NCS members of interested institutions should complete the
online application available on the NCS website no later than
Nov. 15, 2018.
http://www.neurocriticalcare.org/Science-Research/Invited-
Clinical-Pharmacist-Program
For any specific questions please contact Salia Farrokh, PharmD,
BCCCP, at sfarrok1@jhmi.edu
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/Invited-Clinical-Pharmacist-Program
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